Yesterday's O'Byrne Cup final at Parnell Park was overshadowed by the unfortunate illness and subsequent death of one umpire, John Buckley from Offaly.

The encounter between Dublin and Louth was stopped midway through the second half as the umpire in the Louth goal suddenly collapsed. He was taken to the ambulance and the referee, his brother Carthage, accompanied him. Despite regaining consciousness, John died later yesterday evening in hospital.

The game resumed with the linesman, Mick Monaghan of Louth, taking over as referee.

Meanwhile, the National Hurling League encounter between Dublin and Kerry, scheduled for Tralee, was postponed yesterday morning due to the unexpected death of Sean O'Grady, whose sons, Michael and PJ, are the respective managers of the two county teams.

Mr O'Grady, from Limerick, who displayed a keen interest in hurling all his life, died early on Saturday morning.

The Dr McKenna Cup match between Antrim and Donegal was postponed because the venue, Corrigan Park, Belfast, was waterlogged.